Decay resistance of sapwood and heartwood of untreated and thermally modified Scots pine and Norway spruce compared with some other wood species

Abstract

Thermal modification has been developed for an industrial method to increase the biological durability and dimensional stability of wood. In this study the effects of thermal modification on resistance against soft- and brown-rot fungi of sapwood and heartwood of Scots pine and Norway spruce were investigated using laboratory test methods. Natural durability against soft-rot microfungi was determined according to CEN/TS 15083-2 (2005) by measuring the mass loss and modulus of elasticity (MOE) loss after an incubation period of 32 weeks. An agar block test was used to determine the resistance to two brown-rot fungi using two exposure periods. In particular, the effect of the temperature of the thermal modification was studied, and the results were compared with results from untreated pine and spruce samples. The decay resistance of reference untreated wood species (Siberian larch, bangkirai, merbau and western red cedar) was also studied in the soft-rot test. On average, the soft-rot and brown-rot tests gave quite similar results. In general, the untreated heartwood of pine was more resistant to decay than the sapwood of pine and the sapwood and heartwood of spruce. Thermal modification increased the biological durability of all samples. The effect of thermal modification seemed to be most effective within pine heartwood. However, very high thermal modification temperature over 230°C was needed to reach resistance against decay comparable with the durability classes of “durable” or “very durable” in the soft-rot test. The brown-rot test gave slightly better durability classes than the soft-rot test. The most durable untreated wood species was merbau, the durability of which could be evaluated as equal to the durability class “moderately durable”.     

Radial and between-family variations of the microfibril angle and the relationships with bending properties in Picea jezoensis families

With emphasis on tree breeding for wood quality in Picea jezoensis, we aimed to evaluate radial and between-family variations in the microfibril angle (MFA) of the S₂ layer in the latewood tracheids in 10 open-pollinated families of 43-year-old P. jezoensis trees. In addition, the relationships between MFA/wood density with the modulus of elasticity (MOE) or modulus of rupture (MOR) were investigated. Significant differences in MFA between families were found from the pith toward the bark. MFA showed higher values around the pith area, although some families showed relatively lower values than others around this area. In addition, due to a larger coefficient of variations of MFA near the pith, the potential for juvenile wood MFA improvement may be greater compared with mature wood. MOE was correlated with MFA in juvenile wood and with wood density in mature wood, whereas MOR was mainly correlated with wood density at radial positions in both woods. Therefore, to improve the MOE and MOR of P. jezoensis wood, both MFA and wood density would be factors to consider in both juvenile and mature woods. On the other hand, there are indications that, only wood density would be an important criterion for improving mature wood properties.     

人工林杉木木材力学性质对高温热处理条件变化的响应

以人工林杉木为试材,分别用空气和菜子油为介质,在温度为180,200和220 ℃对其分别热处理1,3和5 h,研究试材的抗弯强度(MOR)、抗弯弹性模量(MOE)、顺纹抗压强度、表面硬度对高温热处理条件变化的响应,同时对处理材的主要化学成分进行分析,用扫描电镜对处理材横切面微观结构进行观察.结果表明:人工林杉木试材的4种主要力学性质对不同条件热处理的响应程度不同.无论是空气热处理还是油热处理,试材的MOR,MOE,顺纹抗压强度与对照比有不同程度的降低,且随处理温度升高、时间延长,下降幅度增大,相比于时间,温度的影响更显著;180 ℃热处理1,3和5 h时,试材的MOR,MOE与对照比未发生明显变化(降幅在3%以内),而顺纹抗压强度则明显低于对照,两介质中降低幅度分别在3.29%～9.58%和3.89%～7.18%;200 ℃以上处理时,不同时间处理的3种主要力学性质不仅显著或极显著低于对照,且各性质问的差异也达显著或极显著水平;对硬度的测试结果表明:180 ℃热处理时,试件的径面硬度和弦面硬度均随时间的延长而增大;200 ℃热处理3 h时,试件的硬度达最大,与对照差异达显著水平;随后热处理试件的硬度开始降低,220 ℃热处理5 h后试件的硬度又明显低于对照.在隔氧的油介质中进行热处理,4种主要力学性质的变化程度低于空气介质处理材,当温度高于200 ℃时,两介质处理间的差异达显著水平.而热处理过程中木材主要化学组成与横切面微观结构变化的差异,反映了4种主要力学性质对不同条件热处理时表现出的响应差异.     

Prediction of wood stiffness, strength, and shrinkage in juvenile wood of radiata pine

Development of optimal ways to predict juvenile wood stiffness, strength, and stability using wood properties that can be measured with relative ease and low cost is a priority for tree breeding and silviculture. Wood static modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), radial, tangential, and longitudinal shrinkage (RS, TS, LS), wood density (DEN), sound wave velocity (SWV), spiral grain (SLG), and microfibril angle (MFA) were measured on juvenile wood samples from lower stem sections in two radiata pine test plantations. Variation between inner (rings 1–2 from pith) and outer (rings 3–6 from pith) rings was generally larger than that among trees. MOE and MOR were lower (50%) in inner-rings than in outer-rings. RS and TS were higher (30–50%) for outer-rings than inner-rings, but LS decreased rapidly (>200%) from inner-rings to outer-rings. DEN had a higher correlation with MOR than with MOE, while MFA had a higher correlation with dry wood MOE than with MOR. SLG had higher significant correlation with MOE than with MOR. DEN and MOE had a weak, significant linear relationship with RS and TS, while MOE had a strong negative non-linear relationship with LS. Multiple regressions had a good potential as a method for predicting billet stiffness (R ² > 0.42), but had only a weak potential to predict wood strength and shrinkage (R ² < 0.22). For wood stiffness acoustic velocity measurements seemed to be the most practical, and for wood strength and stability acoustic velocity plus core density seemed to be the most practical measurements for predicting lower stem average in young trees.     

Relation of chemical and mechanical properties of Eucalyptus nitens wood thermally modified in open and closed systems

ABSTRACT

In the present work, Eucalyptus nitens was thermally modified in an open (atmospheric pressure) and a closed (under pressure) reactor system. The effect of the changes of the chemical composition on the mechanical properties was investigated. Hemicelluloses, cellulose, lignin, extractives, acetic acid, formic acid, total phenols and the cellulose degree of polymerization (DP) as well as modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) were measured for each modification. The results indicated that the closed system modification, particularly at high pressure, presented stronger variations on the chemical structure of the modified wood than the modifications in the open system. In both modifications, MOR showed a better correlation with the chemical changes than the MOE, especially xylose, cellulose DP, lignin and total phenols. These correlations suggest a tendency of a more brittle wood in the closed system modification at high pressure than in the modifications in the open system. Results can be used as a reference for future applications of thermally modified E. nitens wood.     

Effect of thermal modification temperature on the mechanical properties,dimensional stability,and biological durability of black spruce (Picea mariana)

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of thermal modification temperature on the mechanical properties, dimensional stability, and biological durability of Picea mariana. The boards were thermally modified at different temperatures 190, 200 and 210 °C. The results indicated that the thermal modification of wood caused a significant decrease in the modulus of rupture (MOR) after 190 °C, while the modulus of elasticity (MOE) seemed less affected with a slight increase up to 200 °C and slight decrease with further increase in temperature. The hardness of the thermally modified wood increased in the axial direction. This increase was also observed in tangential and axial directions but at a lesser extent. The final value was slightly higher in axial direction and lower in radial and tangential directions compared to those of the untreated wood. Dimensional stability improved with thermal modification in the three directions compared to the dimensional stability of unmodified wood. The fungal degradation results showed that the decay resistance of thermally modified wood against the wood-rotting fungi Trametes versicolor and Gloephyllum trabeum improved compared to that of the untreated wood. By contrast, the thermal modification of P. mariana had a limited effect on the degradation caused by the fungus Poria placenta.     

人工林杉木和杨树木材物理力学性质的株内变异研究

按照中国国家标准研究杉木和I-214杨树木材的抗弯弹性模量、抗弯强度、顺纹抗压强度和密度,同时按照日本国家标准研究2个树种的顺纹抗剪强度.结果表明:杉木的抗弯强度、顺纹抗压强度和密度由胸高直径处向上呈波浪形增加,抗弯弹性模量则稳定降低,但不同高度间杉木的物理力学性质没有显著差异;近树皮处木材的物理力学性质高于近髓心处木材,并有极显著差异.对于I-214杨树,只有抗弯弹性模量从髓心到树皮逐渐增加,其他的物理力学性质,最小值在从髓心到树皮的过渡区,最大值在近树皮处,从髓心到树皮,杨树的物理力学性质有极显著的差异.杉木和杨树的径面顺纹抗剪强度从髓心到树皮有极显著差异,并且近树皮的高于近髓心的木材,而弦面顺纹抗剪强度从髓心到树皮没有显著差异.木材密度与力学性质有很好的线性相关关系,木材密度是一个很好的力学强度的预测手段.     

Dynamic modulus of elasticity and bending properties of young Taiwania trees grown with different thinning and pruning treatments

The effects of different thinning and pruning methods on the bending strength and dynamic modulus of elasticity (DMOE) of young Taiwania (Taiwania cryptomerioides Hay) were investigated. The average DMOE, modulus of elasticity (MOE), and modulus of rupture (MOR) in the thinning treatments showed the following trend: no thinning > medium thinning > heavy thinning. This indicates that thinning reduces average bending properties. The average DMOE, MOE, and MOR in the pruning treatments showed the following trend: medium pruning > no pruning > heavy pruning. According to this tendency, better average qualities of lumber and specimens were from wood subjected to no-thinning and medium-pruning treatments according to an ultrasonic wave technique and static bending tests. However, most results showed no statistically significant differences among thinning, pruning, and thinning and pruning treatments. The average values of DMOE, MOE, and MOR of visually graded construction-grade lumber were significantly greater than those of below-grade lumber. Moreover, there were very significant positive relationships between density, ultrasonic velocity, DMOE, MOE, and MOR, although the determination coefficients were small.     

广宁县竹香骨下脚料制备竹碎料刨花板及其复合改性研究

采用竹香骨下脚料为原料,以脲醛树脂和三聚氰胺改性脲醛树脂胶粘剂制备竹碎料刨花板,并与木纤维复合改性,检测并分析了内结合强度、静曲强度、弹性模量和吸水性。结果表明,在热压温度为160℃时,竹碎料板和竹木复合碎料板的物理力学性能均满足国标规定在干燥状态下使用的普通用板要求。当木纤维与竹碎料复合后,复合板材的静曲强度和弹性模量有一定程度提高,但内结合强度降低。     

Flexural and visual characteristics of fibre-managed plantation Eucalyptus globulus timber

ABSTRACT

The main goal of this study was to investigate the visual characteristics, recovery rate, and flexural properties of sawn boards from a fibre-managed plantation Eucalyptus globulus resource as a potential raw material for structural building applications. The impacts of the visual characteristics, strength-reducing features, and variation in basic density and moisture content on the bending modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of the boards were investigated. The reliabilities of different non-destructive methods in predicting MOE and MOR of the boards were evaluated, including log acoustic wave velocity measurement and numerical modellings. The MOE and MOR of the boards were significantly affected by the slope of grain, percentage of clear wood, and total number of knots in the loading zone of the boards. The normal variation in basic density significantly influenced the MOE of the boards while its effect on the MOR was insignificant. The numerical models developed using the artificial neural network (ANN) showed better accuracies in predicting the MOE and MOR of the boards than traditional multi-regression modelling and log acoustic wave velocity measurement. The ANN models developed in this study showed more than 78.5% and 79.9% success in predicting the adjusted MOE and MOR of the boards, respectively.     

Physical properties and termite durability of maritime pine Pinus pinaster Ait., heat-treated under vacuum pressure

An original heat treatment performed under vacuum pressure was investigated. Maritime pine samples were treated at six different temperatures: 140, 160, 180, 200, 230 and 260°C. The physical and mechanical consequences, i.e. bending strength (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), hygroscopic behaviour, equilibrium moisture contents and anti-swelling efficiency (ASE) were studied. A no-choice feeding test according to the NF EN 117 standard was achieved. Temperatures up to 200°C had no significant effect on wood properties. However, at 230 and 260°C, the decrease in MOR was severe, reaching 42.5 and 62.5%, respectively. Whatever the treatment conditions, wood samples were still highly degraded by termites, revealing no increase in their durability.     

Structural mechanism and effect of hole compressibility on mechanical strength of MFLB

We have studied the structural mechanism of micron flaky wood fiber light density board (MFLB), of which voids are an important structural characteristic. A new parameter called hole compressibility (η) was added to study the characteristics of MFLB further, in order to produce various levels of hole compressibility. A set of hot pressures was applied, and uniform parts at cross-sections of MFLB were selected to study the effects of hole compressibility on the modulus of elasticity (MOE) and modulus of rupture (MOR) of MFLB by microscopic analyses. The results showed that MFLB (0.3 g/cm³ in density) processed at various hot pressures (from 1.6 to 2.2 MPa) all meet the norms of the Japan Light Particleboard Industrial Standard JISA 5908, where η ⩽ 0 ranging from −0.0487 to −0.068. The critical value of hole compressibility at which the strength began to decrease was also obtained. We compared the void distribution, size and shape at different void contents and hole compressibility and discussed the effects of hole compressibility on MOE and MOR of MFLB as well. To a certain density of raw material and micro-fiber of a certain thickness, the strength of MFLB can be decreased with an increase in hole compressibility. When the hole compressibility of MLFB exceeds a certain critical value, loading at a lower level will decrease MOR and MOE of MFLB considerably. __________ Translated from Scientia Silvae Sinicae, 2007, 43(6): 123–127 [译自: 林业科学]     

江汉平原水杉、池杉、落羽杉物理力学性能比较研究

对江汉平原水杉、池杉、落羽杉人工林物理力学性能进行了研究,结果表明:落羽杉的密度和硬度最大;落羽杉、水杉、池杉的抗弯强度差异不大;水杉的弹性模量最大,约为落羽杉的2.3倍,落羽杉的弹性模量与池杉的比较接近。南北方向对水杉、池杉、落羽杉的密度、顺纹抗压强度在5%水平上差异均不显著,对池杉、水杉抗弯强度在5%水平上差异不显著,对落羽杉抗弯强度在1%水平上差异显著,对落羽杉、池杉的弹性模量在1%水平上差异显著,对水杉的弹性模量在5%水平上差异不显著。三杉南北面近树皮处木材的密度、抗弯强度、弹性模量、顺纹抗压强度均大于髓心处。对水杉、池杉、落羽杉物理力学性能比较研究,旨在为其培育及合理利用提供依据。     

Genetic variation in wood stiffness and strength properties of hybrid larch (Larix gmelinii var. japonica × L. kaempferi)

Genetic parameters for wood stiffness and strength properties were estimated in a 29-year-old hybrid larch stand (Larix gmelinii var. japonica × Larix kaempferi). The study included 19 full-sib larch families from Hokkaido, northern Japan. Implications of these genetic parameters in wood quality improvement are subsequently discussed. Traits included in the analyses were the dynamic modulus of elasticity of green logs (E _log), the modulus of elasticity (MOE), the modulus of rupture (MOR), compression strength parallel to the grain (CS) in small clear specimens, wood density (DEN), and diameter at breast height (DBH). DEN had the lowest coefficients of variation and MOE the highest. The narrow-sense heritability estimates of E _log, MOE, MOR, and CS were 0.61, 0.44, 0.60, and 0.43, respectively, and those of DEN and all mechanical properties increased from an inner to outer position within the stem. E _log and DEN had high positive phenotypic (0.52–0.83) and genetic (0.70–0.92) correlations with MOE, MOR, and CS. The mechanical properties of the inner position of the stem had rather high phenotypic and genetic correlations with those of the outer position and overall mean. The predicted gains in wood stiffness (E _log and MOE) were higher than those of the strength properties (MOR and CS). The predicted correlated responses in MOE, MOR, and CS when selecting for E _log and DEN were 72.6%–97.8% of a gain achievable from direct selection of these traits. DBH showed an insignificant correlation with all mechanical properties, although selection of this trait had a slightly negative effect on the mechanical properties.     

Physical and mechanical properties of particleboard from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) stalks and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) wood particles

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the performance of particleboard manufactured from roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) stalks and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) wood. The manufacturing parameters were various roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) ratios in the mixture (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) and press time (3, 5 and 7 min). Modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR), internal bonding (IB) strength values and thickness swelling (TS) after 24-hour water soaking of the panels were determined according to the procedure of European Union (EN) Standard. The results of the study demonstrate that roselle stalks can be an alternative raw material source for particleboard industry. With an increase of roselle particles from 0% to 100%, the TS was reduced, and the IB, MOR and MOE were increased. The highest MOE, MOR, IB strength and TS values of the samples were found as 2754.18, 16.81, 0.89 N/mm² and 15.26% for the panels made using 100% roselle with a 7-min press time, respectively.     

超声波预测落叶松规格材的抗弯性能

用超声波法测量落叶松规格材的动态弹性模量(DMOE),用弯曲试验测量其静态抗弯弹性模量(MOE)和抗弯强度(MOR),分析DMOE与MOE和MOR的相关性。研究结果表明:落叶松规格材的DMOE值比MOE高;DMOE与MOE和MOR的相关性均在0.01水平显著,DMOE与MOE的相关性高于DMOE与MOR的相关性。     

慈竹竹帘胶合板力学性能研究

采用慈竹为原料制造竹帘胶合板,以三种不同的方式进行组坯,研究组坯方式对慈竹竹帘胶合板纵横方向静曲强度、弹性模量、压缩强度与水平剪切强度的影响。结果表明:组坯方式对胶合板的弹性模量与静曲强度影响较为显著。Ⅲ型板纵向各项力学性能最优,Ⅲ型板横向各项力学性能最弱。Ⅰ型板和Ⅱ型板的静曲强度和弹性模量均达到了汽车车厢用竹篾胶合板的A类标准。三种方式组坯板件的主要力学性能均达到了结构用竹木复合板国家A级标准与混凝土模板用胶合板主要物理力学性能指标。     

Fresh-wood bending: linking the mechanical and growth properties of a Norway spruce stem

To provide data and methods for analyzing stem mechanics, we investigated bending, density and growth characteristics of 207 specimens of fresh wood from different heights and radial positions of the stem of one mature Norway spruce (Picea abies L. Karst.) tree. From the shape of each stress-strain curve, which was calculated from bending tests that accounted for shear deformation, we determined the modulus of elasticity (MOE), the modulus of rupture (MOR), the completeness of the material, an idealized stress-strain curve and the work involved in bending. In general, all mechanical properties increased with distance from the pith, with values in the ranges of 5.7-18 GPa for MOE, 23-90 MPa for MOR and 370-630 and 430-1100 kg m(-3) for dry and fresh wood densities, respectively. The first three properties generally decreased with stem height, whereas fresh wood density increased. Multiple regression equations were calculated, relating MOR, MOE and dry wood density to growth properties. We applied these equations to the growth of the entire stem and considered the annual rings as superimposed cylindrical shells, resulting in stem-section values of MOE, MOR and dry and fresh densities as a function of stem height and cambial age. The standing tree exhibits an inner stem structure that is well designed for bending, especially at a mature stage.     

Influence of the thermo-hydro-mechanical treatments of wood on the performance against wood-degrading fungi

Hybrid poplar (Populus deltoides × Populus trichocarpa) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) wood specimens were densified with three variations of thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) treatment. The THM treatments differed in the steam environment, including transient steam (TS), saturated steam (SS), and saturated steam with 1-min post–heat treatment at 200 °C (SS+PHT). The bending properties, FTIR spectra, and colour of the THM wood specimens were studied before and after exposure to two different wood decay fungi, brown rot Gloeophyllum trabeum, and white rot Trametes versicolor. The results showed that the performance of densified hybrid poplar wood was considerably poorer than the performance of Douglas-fir heartwood. The FTIR spectra measurements did not show changes in the densified hybrid poplar wood, while some changes were evident in densified Douglas-fir specimens. After fungal degradation, the most prominent changes were observed on the SS+PHT specimens. Colour is one of the most important parameter predominantly influenced by the wood species and the intensity of the densification process for both wood species, while after fungal exposure, the colour of all densified Douglas-fir specimens obtained more or less the same appearance, and densified hybrid poplar specimens resulted in lighter colour tones, indicating that the pattern of degradation of the densified and non-densified specimens are similar. The 3-point bending test results determined that the THM treatment significantly increased the modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) of the densified wood specimens, while fungal exposure decreased the MOE and MOR in hybrid poplar and Douglas-fir specimens.     

Variation in wood properties among five full-sib families of Norway spruce (Picea abies)

Genetic- and environmental variation and correlation patterns were characterized for modulus of elasticity (MOE), modulus of rupture (MOR) and related wood traits: latewood proportion, wood density, spiral grain, microfibril angle and lignin content in five full-sib families of Norway spruce. The families were evaluated on the basis of clearwood specimens from the juvenile -mature wood transition zone of 93 sampled trees at age 30 year from seed. Family-means varied significantly (p < 0.05) for all wood traits studied except lignin content. MOE varied between 7.9–14.1 GPa among trees and 9.4–11.0 GPa among families. MOR varied between 47–87 MPa among trees and 61–71 MPa among families. Families remained significantly different in an analysis of specific MOE (MOE/density) and MOR (MOR/density). Hence, solely relying on wood density as a wood quality trait in tree breeding would not fully yield the potential genetic gain for MOE and MOR. Correlations between wood structural traits and specific MOE and MOR are presented and discussed.